Do you feel like you’ve gone through all the most interesting programs on major streaming services such as Netflix and HBO Max? Are you simply looking for an alternative to freshen things up? In both cases, you might want to consider checking out Viaplay.

Viaplay is a platform that started in the remote corners of Northern Europe, but—after enjoying significant success domestically—has expanded further afield. What exactly is Viaplay, though?

What Is Viaplay?

Viaplay is, in essence, the Nordics’ answer to Netflix. The streaming platform was launched in 2007, and it’s now owned by Viaplay Group—formerly known as Nordic Entertainment Group. The company’s headquarters are in Stockholm, Sweden.

On Viaplay, you’ll find a mixture of programs in English and other languages. It has a particularly large selection of Scandinavian content, so you might find this useful if you’re trying to learn one of those languages. You’ll also find some of the most popular Nordic Noir dramas on there. Making Viaplay a good option for fans of the genre.

You can watch Viaplay in Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, and Norway. The service has also been available in Poland for a while, along with the Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania).

Further afield, Viaplay rolled its services out to the UK and the Netherlands in 2022. In early 2023, it launched in the US and Canada as well.

What Can You Watch on Viaplay?

Viaplay offers a broad selection of content in numerous categories. To help you understand everything more easily, we’ve broken down the main ones into different categories.

1. Movies

Viaplay has several English-language movies; you’ll find classics like Jaws, Ghostbusters, and Spider-Man. Besides older titles, you can also discover newer films that are currently popular with viewers. And, in addition to the movies in English, you’ll find titles in Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian.

The movies on Viaplay span several genres. There’s a significant catalog of comedies, action films, and family-friendly movies. You can watch horror films for free online, but you’ll also find a well-curated selection within Viaplay.

In addition to the movies already available in your subscription, you can rent and buy others that aren’t.

2. Sports

If you’re a sports fan, you’ll probably enjoy Viaplay’s offerings—especially if you’re into soccer. Viaplay shows matches in many major European leagues, including the English Premier League and the German Bundesliga. You can also follow along with more niche divisions, such as the Danish Superliga.

Viaplay is also a great place to watch international soccer tournaments, such as the World Cup and European Championship. However, whether you can watch these may differ depending on where you’re based.

Viaplay broadcasts several live matches, but you can also watch highlights later. Away from soccer, you can use the streaming service to watch darts, tennis, hockey, and other sports. For events you want to watch live, you can tap the Set reminder button.

We’ll talk more about subscription packages shortly, but for now, keep in mind that you’ll need a different plan if you want to watch sports.

3. Documentaries

You can find several free documentaries to stream online, but subscribing to a streaming service can often provide you with a better suite of options. And in Viaplay, you can watch a whole host of documentaries.

When streaming on the platform, you can choose from a range of Viaplay Originals to watch. You also can watch documentaries within numerous categories, including sports and food. The app also has nature documentaries and autobiographical ones.

4. TV Series

Many people subscribe to streaming services, such as Netflix and Apple TV+, for the TV series they offer. And if you decide that you want to switch to Viaplay, you can choose from an impressive selection of programs in this respect.

On Viaplay, you’ll find much-loved titles that you may have seen elsewhere—such as The Office. You can watch a selection of reality TV series, too, including Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen.

You can sift through different crime dramas and other genres as well.

What Subscription Packages Are Available on Viaplay?

Viaplay has two subscription tiers. The first is Film & Series, which is also the least expensive option. After setting up your plan, you’ll have access to many of Viaplay’s movies, TV series, and documentaries.

You can also get Viaplay Total, which is the high-end pricing option. With this plan, you get access to live sporting events and can also watch match highlights. Besides that, you can watch everything that’s available in the Film & Series plan.

With both Viaplay Film & Series and Viaplay Total, you can—in some jurisdictions—opt to include extra TV channels for an additional fee.

Do Viaplay Programs Have English Subtitles?

For the programs on Viaplay that aren’t in English, you can often switch English subtitles on. You may also find a selection of other languages, including Finnish and Icelandic. Some programs, however, will not offer subtitles in English.

If you’re trying to learn a specific language, you may want to consider switching the subtitles in Viaplay to that. It’s one of the many ways you can learn a new language with technology.

How Much Does Viaplay Cost?

Viaplay’s pricing depends on where you live, but the service costs $5.99/month if you want the Film & Series plan in the US. At the time of writing in April 2023, Viaplay doesn’t offer a Total plan with sports in the country.

In Canada, Viaplay costs CAD$6.99/month for the Film & Series plan. Like the US, you can’t purchase a sports subscription with the service as of April 2023.

UK users can watch sports with Viaplay Total for £14.99/month; £11.99/month if you pay annually. With this subscription, you’ll also get access to the movies and TV series.

What Devices Is Viaplay Available On?

You can use Viaplay on Apple and Android smartphones and tablets, along with Windows computers and Apple Macs. It’s also compatible with Chromecast, Apple TV, Android TV, Google TV, and Amazon Fire TV. Plus certain makes of smart TV.

For a full list of compatible devices, see Viaplay's Supported Devices page.

Viaplay: A Handy Hub for Movies, TV Series, and Sports

Viaplay is likely to become more popular in the markets it rolls out to, especially with its sports broadcasting capabilities. But even beyond that, you can enjoy numerous series in Nordic Noir and many other categories.

You’ll find a range of original titles on Viaplay, in addition to others that you might be familiar with elsewhere. And while you can rent or buy even more choices, you may find that you don’t even need these.